The 3 main dantians are: lower dantian, middle dantian and upper dantian. The word dantian used alone usually refers to the lower dantian. It is located about three finger widths below and two finger widths behind the navel. In chinese culture, dantian is considered to be the centre of qi or life force energy. It is also the physical centre of gravity of the human body and the root of one’s internal energy.

意

yi

Intention

Movements in Tai Chi are lead by our intention

氣

qi

Air

It can mean the air that we breath

氣

qi

Vital Energy

It can also mean the life force that runs through all living things.

氣

qi

Internal Force

When used in Tai Chi, typically means the internal force felt in one’s body

勁

jin

Energy

The expression of energy in one’s body which can appear to be strength or power

靜

jing

Quiet

Calmness

鬆

sōng

Relax

When applied correctly in Tai Chi, relaxation should not compromise your posture. True relaxation is achieved only when your posture is perfectly aligned, then muscle groups front/back/left/right can be equally relaxed.

沉

chén

Sink

To allow your body mass to sink downwards and focus on a point. Normally used together with Relax and Sink.

正

zhèng

Centred

The vertical alignment of our posture and the balanced distribution of weight

整

zhěng

Whole

Movement of our entire body as a whole

粘

zhān

Stick

Used in push hands to mean staying connected to the opponent

聽

tīng

Listen

To sense, feel or pay attention to

懂

dǒng

Understand

To truly understand in Tai Chi, your body must know. If only your brain knows, but your body does not, you still do not understand.

化

huà

Transform

Used in push hands to mean redirecting or transforming the force against one’s body to dispel the threat

發

fā

Release

Used in push hands to mean the releasing of one’s energy towards the opponent

太極

tàijí

Tai Chi

Sometimes the word “Chi” in Tai Chi is misinterpreted as the word “Qi” becaused “qi” is pronounced as “chi” as well. “Chi” in Tai Chi means Ultimate, not energy as in “Qi”. Taiji as a philosophy means the Supreme Ultimate state of undifferentiated absolute and infinite potential, the oneness before duality, from which Yin and Yang originate.

太極拳

tàijí quán

Tai Chi Chuan

The word “Chuan” means fist or boxing. When added to “Tai Chi”, it then becomes a Martial Art. Tai Chi Chuan is the correct term to use, although Tai Chi on its own is the more commonly used term in North America.

PHRASES

一身备五弓

yīshēn bèi wǔ gōng

Body becomes Five bows

“Bow” as in bow and arrow. Prepare the body by applying the five bows: one main bow (the body), 2 upper bows (the arms) and 2 lower bows (the legs).

提頂

tí dǐng

Lift the head

Phrases used to describe the postural adjustment at the neck level

猴頭

hóu tóu

Monkey head

含胸拔背

hánxiōng bá bèi

Empty the chest & Pull out the back

A phrase used to describe the postural adjustment at the chest level

收跨果屯

shōu kuà guǒ tún

Close the hips & Round the butt

A phrase used to describe the postural adjustment at the hip level

不调不停

bù tiáo bù tíng

Do not retreat and do not oppose

Concepts used in push hands to describe one’s reaction when force is applied on one’s body

發勁

fā jin

Release of energy or power

Typically used to describe the sudden explosive release of power as seen in Chen style tai chi.

五字诀 FIVE CHARACTER TACTICS

心靜

xīn jìng

Heart calm

These are the 5 posters hung on the wall in the studio. Each one will need a blog to describe.

身灵

shēn líng

Body aware

气敛

qì liǎn

Force converged

劲整

jìn zhěng

Energy whole

神聚

shén jù

Vitality focused

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